It's a climb that many are calling the most difficult and dangerous free solo ever.

Sensation-seekers are individuals who aren't afraid to take risks.

Joseph hopes that one day, research might show ways to channel this personality trait in people at risk for substance abuse away from those risks and towards other rewarding activities.

Honnold almost certainly fits into a group of people that are defined as high — or in Honnold's case, "super" — sensation seekers, who frequently seek out extreme and risky experiences, according to Jane Joseph, a Professor in the Department of Neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Most high sensation seekers aren't as extreme as Honnold, who also has aspects of his personality that may help him mitigate risk, but sensation-seeking is still a fairly common personality trait. Many people are driven to do things that excite them, no matter how risky or terrifying those activities might seem to others.

If you heard about a chance to ski down a steep backcountry slope, would you jump on that opportunity? Does wandering through an unknown city where you don't speak the language sound fun? Do you get restless or bored doing the same thing day after day? Does watching video of someone like Honnold climb make you feel thrilled?

Then you may score highly on measures of a personality trait that psychologists call "sensation-seeking."

Everyone falls somewhere on the sensation-seeking spectrum, but some people are more likely to ignore risks and instead seek rewards than others, to the point they may seem attracted to risk.

There are four subcategories to sensation seeking: experience seeking (wanting new sensory or mental experiences), thrill and adventure seeking, susceptibility to boredom, and disinhibition (enjoying things like "wild parties").

There are probably lots of sensation seeking personalities at Burning Man.
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